Erie man gets up to 40 years in child rape

An Erie man was sentenced this morning in Erie County Court to serve 15 to 40 years in state prison on charges he raped and sexually assaulted a young girl over a 10-year period.

Thomas Nichols, 37, was also deemed a sexually violent predator under Megan's Law by Judge John Garhart, who called Nichols' conduct "depraved." That means Nichols will have to register his whereabouts with police and the community for the rest of his life once he is released from prison.

Nichols pleaded guilty in July to rape of child, indecent assault, corruption of a minor, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and endangering the welfare of a child.

The incidents occurred between 2000 and 2010, when the girl was between 4 and 14 years old.